A Second Chance at Sunrise* "When life gives you a do-over, will you seize it? "Alexandra "Lexi" Thompson's life was unraveling. A painful breakup, a stagnant career, and a sense of purpose lost. But then, a mysterious night in Manhattan sends her tumbling back in time-to her 18-year-old self, in small-town Florida. As Lexi navigates her past, she's confronted with unfinished business, old flames, and new possibilities. Will she rekindle her romance with Jake, the high school sweetheart who still holds a piece of her heart? Or will she return to her New York City life, determined to rediscover herself? In this heartwarming, thought-provoking tale of love, loss, and self-discovery, Lexi must choose between two timelines-and two versions of herself . *Will she find her true path in the past or forge a new future?* "A beautifully crafted exploration of identity, love, and the power of second chances." *Genre:* Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance "Sometimes, the best way forward is to go back."
As Lexi walked home on that crisp evening, she made a brief stop for a steaming latte. The city of New York pulsed around her, alive with people rushing to and fro. She found solace in the cacophony; sometimes it drowned out her own thoughts, while other times she yearned for silence.
Just as she savored the warm brew, the cafe door swung open and Adrian stepped inside. He walked towards her, taking a seat in front of her.
" You're late." Lexi said before Adrian could say a word.
" I came as quickly as I could." Adrian replied.
" You asked to meet yet you kept me waiting. I'm also busy Adrian."
" I do not want to fight with you Lexi, not today. We need to talk."
" Well a simple apology would not hurt." Lexi muttered as she raised the mug to her lips, taking a small sip.
"Lexi, we need to break up," Adrian said, his voice firm. "This isn't working, and you know it."
Lexi's gaze pierced through him, almost boring a hole through his head, her eyes burning with a mix of emotions before she shifted her focus away. Had she been expecting this? Yes, she had. The writing was on the wall. They'd been drifting apart, the distance between them growing insurmountable.
Deep down, Lexi knew the relationship had ended long ago. Was it her fault? Partially. Adrian made her feel like she was too independent, that she needed to rely on him more. But Lexi couldn't surrender to that. She couldn't fully commit, always keeping one foot out the door, ready to bolt.
The silence between them was heavy, weighed down by unspoken truths. Lexi's thoughts swirled: Had she been using her independence as a shield? Yes.
Had she ever truly let Adrian in?
Adrian's voice broke the silence. "You've always been holding back, Lexi. I feel like I've been fighting for your heart, but you've never fully given it to me."
Lexi's eyes snapped back to his, a spark of defensiveness igniting within her. But she knew he was right.
Adrian continued. " I've thought about this and I can't keep trying to make this work. I'm seeing someone else, she's pretty and she cares about me. I don't want to keep leading you on."
" Is she younger?" Lexi asked.
" Yes, she's twenty five."
" Okay."
" Okay?"
" Yes. I agree that we should break up. It's long overdue and I'm glad you've found someone perfect for you." Lexi said calmly.
" Two years into this relationship and you look so calm that we're breaking up."
" What I'm I suppose to do? Yell at you? Freak out? Adrian I'm happy for you okay. We've both been very busy so this was expected."
Adrian nodded thoughtfully, his eyes lingering on Lexi's face. "I'm glad we can end this amicably," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "Good luck, Lexi."
With that, he stood up, his chair scraping against the floor. Lexi watched, frozen, as he walked out of the café. Through the glass wall, she saw him pause, taking a deep breath before getting into his car. The engine roared to life, and he drove away, leaving Lexi alone.
A small, sharp pang struck her chest, like a tiny needle pricking her heart. She hadn't expected the ache, but it was there, lingering. Lexi's eyes dropped to her latte, the creamy foam now flat and unappealing. She pushed the cup away, her mind reeling.
The café's bustle faded into the background as Lexi sat, lost in thought. She had known this was coming, had even welcomed it. So why the sting? Was it regret, relief, or something else entirely?
As she sat there, Lexi realized she needed to confront the emotions Adrian's departure had unearthed.
Lexi's gaze drifted back to the empty chair across from her, where Adrian had sat just moments before. Their relationship had been unraveling for months, but the finality of their breakup still felt unsettling.
She took a deep breath, collecting her thoughts. The café's noise now seemed amplified – clinking cups, muted conversations, and the hiss of steam. Lexi gathered her belongings and stepped outside, into the crisp evening air.
The city lights twinkled around her, a reminder of the world moving forward, regardless of her personal struggles. Lexi walked to her car, let herself into the driver seat and drove off.
As she drove into the traffic, her phone rang, the ID caller showing Rachel, Lexi's best friend.
" Hey girl." Rachel's cheerful voice came from the other side.
Lexi smiled wryly. " How's our soon to be Mrs doing?"
" I'm great, the wedding dress just came in."
" Sorry I wasn't able to help you prepare."
" It's fine all I need is your presence." Rachel said. " Just calling to make sure you don't forget that the bachelorette party is tomorrow."
Lexi chuckled, the sound mingling with the hum of the engine. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Chel. I've got my outfit ready and everything."
"Outfit?" Rachel's tone turned curious. "What's the theme again?"
"Neon and naughty," Lexi replied with a grin.
Rachel's laughter filled the line. " Perfect, I knew I could count on you. Hey, I hope you'll be there with Adrian tomorrow," Rachel said, her voice bubbly.
Lexi's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "We broke up, Chel. He broke up with me."
The line went silent.
"What? Why?" Rachel's shock was palpable.
Lexi took a deep breath. "We've been drifting apart. I expected this."
Rachel's curiosity turned sharp. " What happened?"
Lexi hesitated before revealing the painful truth. "He said he's seeing someone else... someone younger."
Rachel's gasp was audible. "Lexi, are you okay?"
Lexi cringed, she hated the pint of pity in Rachel's tone. "Yes, I'm fine."
"Lex, I'm so sorry. I had no idea."
Lexi forced a lightness into her voice. "It's okay, really. We weren't working out."
Rachel's concern lingered. "But someone younger? That must hurt."
Lexi's thoughts strayed to Rachel's fiancé, Damien, who was indeed younger. "You found your perfect match, Chel. Not everyone's as lucky."
Rachel picked up on the subtle hint. "Lex, don't compare. You'll find yours. You know you can talk to me if you want."
Lexi smiled wryly, grateful for Rachel's empathy.
" Not right now Chel. Tomorrow is about celebrating you, let's not talk about my failed relationships. I'll be all for you tomorrow, with bells on. Let's focus on your last night of freedom."
Rachel's laughter filled the line, a welcome relief. "Alright, let's focus on getting me thoroughly embarrassed tomorrow night! See you then." Lexi chuckled, hanging up, feeling a brief respite from her thoughts.
Adele runs away from a life a privilege and entered a new world of mafia, mysteries secret that could be killed for and love. Born a wretched life and adopted into a life of privilege.. Adele Callahan has spent her life under the thumb of a prestigious family that controls her every move. When she escapes an arranged marriage, her only plan is to run as far and as fast as she can-until a fateful encounter changes everything.. Adele seemed to live a nice life but it's all a different story behind the reflection. Forced to marry a rich influential abuser, Adele escapes in a bid to leaves a life that was arranged and all planned out for her when her paths crosses with a man who introduces her to a life she never knew existed. Lucian runs a mafia group but there's more to him than he let out, one of the influential person feared by most. But women are his toys, a new one each day to add to his record of decanhery. Lucian. He's dark, enigmatic, and devastatingly handsome, but beneath his flawless exterior lies a dangerous secret. His piercing eyes see too much, his voice commands obedience, and his presence is like a storm she can't escape. He warns her to leave, but his words come too late-Adele is already entangled in his world. What starts as a chance meeting spirals into a deadly game of survival, as Adele learns the truth about Lucian. Drawn together by fate, their connection defies reason, even as the shadows of Lucian's mafia ties threaten to tear them apart. As passion collides with peril, Adele must decide: will she run from the darkness that surrounds Lucian, or embrace it to uncover the secrets of her own destiny? "In a world of danger, betrayal, and supernatural power, love might be the most dangerous thing of all."
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."